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  System for calibrating a hands-free systemUSPTO Application #: 20080020807Title: System for calibrating a hands-free system Abstract: A method for calibrating a hands-free system is provided. The hands-free system comprising a hands-free unit and a mobile phone, the method comprising the following steps of setting up a connection between the hands-free system and a distant terminal via a mobile telephony network of the mobile phone, transmitting a predetermined test signal from one of the hands-free system and the distant terminal to the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, the predetermined test signal being provided in both the hands-free system and the distant terminal as reference test signal, comparing the received test signal to the reference test signal stored in the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, and determining the calibration parameters of the hands-free system in accordance with the comparison. (end of abstract) Agent: The Eclipse Group - Granada Hills, CA, US Inventors: Guido Kolano, Gerhard Uwe Schmidt, Walter Schnug, Michael Tropp USPTO Applicaton #: 20080020807 - Class: 455569100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Telecommunications, Transmitter And Receiver At Same Station (e.g., Transceiver), Radiotelephone Equipment Detail, Hands-free Or Loudspeaking Arrangement The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080020807. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority of European Patent Application Serial Number 06 015 385.5, filed on Jul. 24, 2006, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A HANDS-FREE SYSTEM, which application is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to a method and a system for calibrating a hands-free system, such as a hands-free system utilized in a vehicle. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] In vehicles, hands-free systems are used for outputting audio signals of a remote subscriber using the loudspeakers that are normally provided in a vehicle. Several microphones are installed in different locations in the vehicle for picking up the signals of the passengers in the vehicle. In connection with a hands-free system, such microphones can be used instead of the microphones provided in the mobile phone. Additionally, signal processing can be used which is adapted to the vehicle environmnent. By way of example, noise reduction systems are used that are optimized to the different types of vehicles and that reduce the noise component in the signal detected by the microphone of the hands-free system. [0006] For improving the speech quality in hands-free systems, an adaptation of the hands-free system to the mobile phone that is used in connection with the hands-free system is necessary. By way of example, a signal level coming from a remote user should always result in a same signal level that is output via the loudspeaker. The signal level should not depend on the mobile phone used in connection with the hands-free system. Mobile phones normally have different signal output levels so that an equalization of the signal level depends on the used mobile phone. [0007] In the art, it is known to provide equalization parameters for the most commonly used mobile phones in order to adapt the hands-free system to the used mobile phones. These parameters can be stored in a storage unit of the hands-free system. When a mobile phone is connected to a hands-free system either wireless via Bluetooth or when the mobile phone is put into a cradle, the mobile phone is identified by the type of mobile phone connected. When it is known which type of mobile phone is being utilized, the corresponding calibration or equalization parameters can be loaded and used in a calibration unit to adapt the hands-free system to the mobile phone (e.g. by adapting the frequency response or by adapting the signal level). [0008] This kind of calibration, however, has several drawbacks. When the calibration parameters are only determined for a specific type of mobile phone, an individual calibration to the mobile phone is not possible. There exist significant differences between different mobile phones of a certain type. Such differences may be due to the amplifiers used in the mobile phones. These amplifiers often have a varying output signal level of .+-.3 to 6 dB. An adaptation to the type of mobile phone used does not result in an optimum speech signal quality, as the processing parameters vary within one type of mobile phone. [0009] Furthermore, it is possible that the calibrating parameters of a mobile phone change. By way of example, when a new software release is used in the mobile phone, the signal processing changes. In the event that a predetermined set of calibration parameters is used, these calibration parameters will be continuously used after the software update even if the characteristics of the mobile phone have changed. Even if new calibrated parameters are transmitted together with the software update, the problem may exist that some of these mobile phones use an older software version than other mobile phones of the same type. Normally, a differentiation between the different software types is not possible, as the actual version of the used software is normally not transmitted to a hands-free system during identification of the mobile phone. [0010] A further disadvantage of known systems lies in the fact that calibration parameters can only be determined for mobile phones already existing on the market. When a new mobile phone is developed, the hands-free system may not have the corresponding calibration parameters, as the life cycle of a mobile phone is normally much shorter than the life cycle of a hands-free system used in a vehicle. [0011] In summary, in prior art hands-free systems several drawbacks exist resulting in a non-optimal speech quality of the hands-free system. Accordingly, a need exists to provide a hands-free system in which the speech quality can be further improved and in which each individual mobile phone can be adjusted or calibrated to the hands-free system. SUMMARY [0012] A method for calibrating a hands-free system is provided, the hands-free system comprising a hands-free unit and a mobile phone, the method comprising the steps of setting up a connection between a hands-free system and a distant terminal via the mobile telephony network of the mobile phone. When a connection between the hands-free system and the distant terminal has been built-up, a predetermined test signal is transmitted from one of the hands-free system and the distant terminal to the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal. This test signal is also provided in both the hands-free system and the distant terminal as a reference test signal. Due to the fact that the reference test signal is also provided in the receiving unit of both terminals, the received test signal can be compared to the reference test signal stored in the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal where the test signal was received. Furthermore, the calibration parameters of the hands-free system are then determined in accordance with the comparison. [0013] According to another implementation of the invention, the invention further relates to a system for calibrating a hands-free system, the hands-free system comprising a hands-free unit and a mobile phone. The calibration system comprises the hands-free system, the latter additionally comprising a loudspeaker for outputting a signal received by the mobile phone, and a microphone picking up a speech signal of a user of the hands-free system. Additionally, a first storage unit may be provided in the hands-free system storing the reference test signal. The calibration system further comprises a distant terminal transmitting a test signal to the hands-free system and/or receiving a test signal from the hands-free system, the distant terminal comprising a second storage unit also storing the reference test signal. As described above, the test signal is transmitted from one of the hands-free system and the distant terminal to the other, the system further comprising a calibration unit adapting the hands-free system to the used mobile phone, the calibration unit comparing the received test signal to the stored reference test signal and determines the calibration parameters in accordance with said comparison. [0014] Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0015] The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an implementation of a hands-free system in a vehicle using a calibration in the transmitting and receiving path. [0017] FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a system for calibrating the receiving path of a hands-free system of a vehicle. [0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one example of a method for calibrating the receiving path of a hands-free system shown in FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a comparison unit used for calculating the calibrating parameters of the hands-free system illustrated in FIG. 2. [0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of one implementation of a system for calibrating the transmitting path of a hands-free system. Continue reading... Full patent description for System for calibrating a hands-free system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System for calibrating a hands-free system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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